CN108697253B

CN108697253B - Anti-overflow container

Info

Publication number: CN108697253B
Application number: CN201780013227.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·G·特伯; A·Y·李; S·Y·陈
Original assignee: Manqujian
Current assignee: Manqujian
Priority date: 2016-01-26
Filing date: 2017-01-26
Publication date: 2021-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2037-01-26
Also published as: US20170210516A1; CA3012855A1; US10364072B2; EP3407766A4; CN108697253A; WO2017132337A1; EP3407766A1

Abstract

An overfill prevention container assembly has a container, an overfill prevention barrier, a hooked collar, a handle, and a lid. The lid has an integral hinge strip provided at the peripheral edge. The hinge strap has a first surface with a curved recess and a second surface with a convex protrusion. When the hinge strap is attached to the hook, the lid pivots between an open position and a closed position.

Description

Anti-overflow container

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) International application claims priority from U.S. patent application No. 15/415,826 entitled "SPILL PROOF CONTAINER" filed on 25.1.2017, each of which further claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/287,117 filed on 26.1.2016, U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/287,368 filed on 26.1.2016, and U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/402,888 filed on 30.9.9.2016. The entire contents of the listed applications are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The disclosed subject matter relates generally to food or small item containers, and more particularly to spill proof containers for food or other small items.

Background

Various small foods, which are commonly consumed between meals, are typically packaged in disposable paper boxes or plastic bags. The smaller configuration of the individual package size is convenient during snack consumption when people do not sit at a table to use conventional cutlery, as opposed to carrying a larger box. Unfortunately, not eating at a table often results in some food spilling and/or spilling on the floor while the individual is eating. In particular, when small infants learn to eat themselves, they often spill food from the container and cause mess. Traditionally, removable covers have also been added; however, once the cover is removed, it is often lost, misplaced, and/or difficult to replace. Unfortunately, this drawback has never been addressed before.

Drawings

Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar parts or steps, and wherein:

fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary container assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the container assembly in an open position.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the container assembly.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the container assembly.

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the container assembly.

Fig. 6 is a top view of the container assembly without the lid.

Fig. 7 is an isolated perspective view of the collar assembly.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged partial view of the container assembly.

FIG. 9 is an isolated upper perspective view of the spill proof barrier.

Fig. 10 is a top view of fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a bottom view of fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a side view of fig. 10.

Figure 13 is another top view of the container assembly with the hinge strap detached.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the hinge strap of figure 1 shown separated.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of fig. 2 with the cover partially open.

Fig. 16-21 illustrate another embodiment of a container assembly.

Detailed Description

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a spill proof container assembly 10 in a closed position. The container assembly 10 includes a container 12 having a collar assembly 20 and a lid 60 having a removable hinge strap 70.

Fig. 2 shows spill resistant container assembly 10 in an open position. The spill resistant container assembly 10 may be used with a variety of small items including, but not limited to, for example, crackers, biscuits, shredded fruits and vegetables, popcorn, shelled nuts, potato chips, dried grain, candy, raisins, other snacks, or other relatively small items such as tools, nuts, bolts, buttons, and the like.

Fig. 3 and 4 show front and cross-sectional views of the container assembly 10. The container 12 includes an interior chamber 15 defined by an open top 13 and a closed bottom 14. The container assembly 10 is generally cylindrical. However, it should be understood that the container assembly 10 may take any preferred shape. The interior chamber 15 of the container 12 is adapted to receive various items.

Fig. 5 shows an exploded view of the container assembly 10. The container assembly 10 is preferably made of a resilient, unbreakable material, such as plastic, and it may be opaque or transparent. The container 12 may be comprised of a semi-rigid or rigid cup, preferably made of transparent plastic, for viewing the food contained therein. In another embodiment, the container 12 may be insulated or made of food grade stainless steel to help regulate the temperature of the contents therein. The container assembly 10 may take on a variety of different sizes and shapes, such as a cylindrical or frustoconical sidewall, a rounded flat bottom 14, and/or any other suitable shape in accordance with the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 4, the collar assembly 20 is secured to the top of the container 12 by threaded fasteners 16. However, it should be understood that the collar assembly 20 may be attached to the container 12 by a snap-fit structure and/or any suitable method for removably securing the collar assembly 20 to the container 12.

As shown in fig. 5, the collar assembly 20 includes a collar 21 and an anti-spill baffle or diaphragm 40 that is removable from the collar 21. The collar 21 has

integral handles

26a, 26b extending from the outer midpoint 22 between the top edge 23 and the bottom edge 24 of the collar 21. The first handle 26a is downwardly curved and extends to a free end 27 to make it graspable. As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the collar 21 further includes an integral second handle 26b having a second free end 28 positioned substantially opposite the first handle 26 a.

Fig. 6 and 8 show the hook 37 attached to the outer surface of the collar 21. The hook 37 includes an opening 38 that receives a hinge strap 70 described below. The opening 38 is configured such that the width and length are substantially the same as the dimensions of the hinge strap 70. As shown in fig. 8, the hook 37 may be located at or near the bottom edge 24 of the collar 21 and may be located between the handle 24 and the second handle 26. However, it should be understood that the hook 37 may be attached at any location on the collar 21 or the outer surface of the container 12.

Referring again to fig. 5, the collar 21 also includes a collar flange 30 that extends concentrically inwardly and downwardly toward the open top 13 of the container 12. From a perspective view, at least one recess 34 extends from the downward portion 32 of the collar flange 30, which recess fits in cooperation with a guide or positioning lug 50 described below.

The collar assembly 20 also includes a spill proof barrier or membrane 40 that extends across and covers the open top 13 of the container 12. The diaphragm 40 may be constructed flat, molded from flexible rubber, stamped elastomeric plastic, and/or any other suitable flexible material, as shown in fig. 9-11. The flexible spill proof barrier or membrane 40 may be configured to be fixedly attached to or removable from the collar 21. In use, the diaphragm 40 is located between the open top 13 and the collar flange 30.

Fig. 9, 10 and 11 show separate upper perspective, top and bottom views, respectively, of the diaphragm 40. The septum 40 includes a plurality of openings or intersecting slits 42 that extend radially outward and are curved in configuration from a center 43 toward the outer peripheral edge 41 of the septum 40 adjacent the downward portion 32 (shown in figure 5) of the collar flange 30 (see figures 6 and 7) to form an annular array of tabs or flaps 44 therebetween. A plurality of raised edges or ribs 48 surround the ends 42a of the intersecting slits 42 at the top surface 49a and bottom surface 49b of the septum 40. These ribs 48 provide additional reinforcement to the ends 42a of the intersecting slits 42 and prevent the tabs 44 from tearing on the septum 40. As shown in fig. 9-11, the raised ribs 18 are circular, but may take any other shape consistent with the present disclosure, such as zig-zag, rectangular, etc.

Additionally, the tips 46 of the tabs 44 abut each other at the center 43 of the diaphragm 40, as shown in FIG. 12. At rest, the flap 44 closes the interior chamber 15 of the container 12 to retain food or items therein. In another embodiment, the flaps 44 may be configured to overlap one another to provide additional closure and retain items stored therein.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the diaphragm 40 may be provided with at least one guide or positioning lug 50 disposed at the peripheral edge 41 of the diaphragm 40. Tab 50 may be formed integrally with flexible diaphragm 40 or as two separate components. Referring to fig. 12, tab 50 includes tab wall 52 extending from peripheral edge 41. The lug wall 52 is substantially flush with the outer surface of the peripheral edge 41 at its highest point.

Additionally, lug wall 52 abuts lug incline 54. The lug wall 52 extends along the edge of a lug incline 54 having a first surface 52a and a second surface 52b, as shown in fig. 10. The first surface 52a and the second surface 52b each begin at the lug wall 52 and extend curvedly downwardly from an upper end of the lug wall 54 to a lower end of the lug wall 54 that defines an inner edge 56. As seen in top view, as shown in fig. 10, lug incline 54 is U-shaped or C-shaped and is configured to fit fittingly within recess 34 (shown in fig. 5).

When diaphragm 40 is inserted under collar flange 30, lugs 50 are located within recesses 34 and diaphragm 40 is trapped between downward portion 32 of collar flange 30 and inner wall 36 of collar 21 (see fig. 4 and 5). Additionally, the surface of the lug incline 54 is flush with the collar flange 30 to form a smooth appearance or seamless connection between the diaphragm 40 and the collar 21. As a result, the positioning lugs 50 lock into the recesses 34, and the diaphragm 40 does not twist or become misaligned and is strong enough to prevent removal thereof by a child or the like. However, the membrane 40 may be removed for cleaning purposes.

The diaphragm 40 may be constructed of a flexible material that does not scratch or otherwise injure the hand inserted through the flexible flap 44 of the diaphragm 40 into the interior chamber 15 of the container 12 so as to grasp and remove items from within the container 12. Also, the flexible material of the diaphragm 40 will allow a hand inserted through the flap 44 to be easily and safely released without scratching or otherwise injuring the hand. Once the hand is removed from the container 12, the flap 43 of the diaphragm 40 returns to its original position covering the open top 13 of the container 12. It should be noted that the diaphragm 40 may also be composed of a transparent material. Likewise, the diaphragm 40 may be formed as a one-piece structure with the cap 60.

The flexible diaphragm 40 may be formed from a variety of different materials, including but not limited to materials having a hardness, for example, in the range between 65-95 using, for example, the standard test method ASTM D2240, and a tear strength greater than 200lb/in using the standard test method ASTM D-1044, and/or any other suitable material capable of retaining the shape memory of the plastic material to ensure that the flap 44 of the diaphragm 40 returns to its original position despite multiple deflections of the flap due to hand insertion therein.

For example, the various materials may include, but are not limited to, Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) or Thermoplastic Polyester (TPE), polyolefin elastomer (POE). Other commercially available materials may include Engage, Sarlink, Texin, Desmopan, Dynaflex, Versalloy, Versaflex, and Elastolan and/or other suitable materials in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. It should be noted that some or all of the commercially available materials described above may be trademarks of manufactured and/or sold materials by a company.

Fig. 13 and 14 show a top view and a perspective view of the container assembly 10 in a closed position with the removable hinge strap 70 disengaged from the collar assembly 20. The cap 60 is placed over the collar assembly 20 by a friction and snap fit arrangement as shown in fig. 14. The cover has a front face 64 and a back face 66 (see fig. 2). The cap 70 is generally cylindrical, but may take any shape consistent with the container assembly 10. Additionally, the cover 60 may be made of silicon, rubber, or the like.

The pull tab 62 and the removable hinge strap 70 are located at opposite ends of the lid peripheral edge 61. Both the pull tab 62 and the detachable hinge strap 70 are integrally formed with the lid 60 and are preferably made of the same material as the lid 60. However, the lid 60, the pull tab 62 and the hinge strap 70 may be constructed as separate members made of different materials. The pull tab 62 provides additional assistance to easily lift the lid 60 from the collar assembly 20 when the container assembly 10 is in the closed position.

The hinge strap 70 extends outwardly from the lid peripheral edge 61 a predetermined distance D. When the hinge strap 70 is removed from the hook 37, the hinge strap 70 is free to hang in a substantially horizontal position in the plane of the lid 60. As shown in fig. 14, the hinge strap 70 is suspended similar to a spring plate or springboard. Starting from the lid peripheral edge 61, the hinge strap 70 includes a first surface or platform 72 attached to a curved recess 76, the curved recess 76 descending to meet a second surface or platform 74 having a free end 75. A first balancing rib 77 and a second balancing rib 78 are provided at the intersection where the curved notch 76 ends and the second platform 74 begins. A protruding projection 79 is located on the second platform 74, which is spaced apart from the

balance ribs

77 and 78 by a predetermined distance. The distance between the protruding projection 79 and the

balance ribs

77 and 78 is substantially equal to and configured to accommodate the thickness of the hook 37.

In other words, as shown in fig. 1 and 2, when the hinge strap 70 is secured to the hook 37 in the closed position, the back side 66 of the lid 60 faces downwardly toward the closed end of the container 12 and the front side 64 faces outwardly and away from the closed end of the container 12. Additionally, when the lid 60 is open, the back face 66 of the lid pivotally opens radially along an axis (P) near the hook 37 and the back face 66 facing the closed end of the container 12 faces outwardly away along a plane of rotation (XZ) such that when the lid 60 is in the open position, the back face 66 faces outwardly and radially away from the closed end and the container 12. As a result, the front face 64 faces inwardly toward the container 12.

Fig. 15 shows the attachment of the hinge strap 70 to the hook 37. The orientation mark 71 is located adjacent the free end 75 and on the second platform 74. During installation of the hinge strap 70, the directional indicia 71 guides the user to insert the free end 75 through the opening 38 of the hook 37. Then, the second platform 74 is pulled through the hook 37 until the protruding projection 79 passes through the hook 37, and the hook 37 is firmly caught between the

balance ribs

77, 78 and the protruding projection 79. Once the hinge strap 70 is securely fixed to the hook 37, the combination of the curved notch 76 and the balancing

ribs

77 and 78 provide a rigid and biased or spring-like mechanism for the hinge strap 70. As a result of this configuration of the hinge strap 70, the cap 60 is more likely to pop up and pop down during removal of the cap 60 from the collar assembly 20. Also, the construction of the hinge strap 70 is more robust, thereby preventing uneven tilting of the cover 60 or substantial twisting of the cover along the axial length of the strap disposed perpendicular to the pivot axis (P).

Fig. 16-21 illustrate another embodiment of the container assembly 10. In this embodiment, container assembly 10 includes an overlapping septum 140 and a double hinge assembly 170. The diaphragm 140 has an integral hinge strap 70 that extends outwardly and is crimped inwardly about a first hinge 172 to form a first pivot end 173 (see fig. 20). As shown in fig. 16, a first hinge 172 extends from the top edge 23 of the collar 21. When the cover 60 is opened, the combination of the hinge straps 70 secured to the first hinge 172 deflects, causing the cover 60 to rotate open about the first pivot end 173.

Additionally, the second hinge 174 at the cover 60 rotates about the second pivot end 175. As a result, when the lid 60 is opened, the second hinge 174 engages the second pivot end 175 and rotates the lid substantially to the upright position.

Fig. 18 shows a top view of the container assembly 10 with the double hinge assembly 170. This view shows a collar assembly 120 having an overlapping septum 140 that includes an S-shaped slit 42 extending through the septum 140 to divide it into a first portion 150 and a second portion 160. The first portion 150 includes a first circular fin 152 having a width that decreases slightly toward a first tail 154. The second portion 160 also includes a second circular fin 162 that slightly decreases in width toward a second tail 164. Referring again to fig. 16 and 17, when the first and

second portions

150 and 160 abut one another, the first rounded tab 152 will overlap the second tail 164. Similarly, the second circular fin 162 will overlap the first tail 154. As a result, the septum 140 provides an additional seal for its closure.

Fig. 19, 20 and 21 show front, side and cross-sectional views of the container assembly 10 with the double hinge assembly 170. As shown, the container assembly 10 is generally cylindrical. However, it should be understood that the container assembly 100 may take any preferred shape.

Although the container assembly 10 has been described as an anti-spill container assembly for snack foods, it should be understood that the container assembly 10 has a variety of other uses. For example, the container assembly 10 may also be used as a container for small non-food items, such as jewelry containers, coin change containers, small hardware container assemblies, and/or any other suitable use for containing and preventing spillage of various items. As such, the spill proof container assembly may be implemented in an almost limitless number of different applications.

Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.

Claims

1. A spill resistant container assembly comprising:

a container having a closed end and an open end;

a collar assembly attached to the open end, the collar assembly having a hook; and

a cover positioned over the collar assembly, wherein the cover has an integral hinge strap extending from a peripheral edge of the cover and adapted to be removably secured to the hook,

the collar assembly further comprises:

a collar having an outer surface and an inner wall; and

an anti-spill baffle disposed below the collar and above the open end of the container,

wherein the collar further comprises at least one recess adjacent the inner wall that matingly receives a positioning lug disposed along the outer peripheral edge of the spill proof barrier,

wherein the locating lugs are substantially flush with a flange on the collar, thereby forming a seamless surface between the spill proof barrier and the collar,

wherein the hinge strip includes a first surface extending away from the peripheral edge, the first surface having a curved notch separating a second surface,

wherein the first surface is bounded by first and second ribs on opposite sides, and the first and second ribs are located substantially at an intersection where the curved notch terminates and the second surface begins,

wherein the second surface has a convex protrusion adjacent to the free end,

wherein when the hinge strap is secured to the hook, the projecting rib in the second position passes through the opening in the hook until the hook is locked to the first and second ribs and the projecting rib,

wherein when the hinge strap is secured to the hook in the closed position, the back face of the lid faces downwardly toward the closed end of the container and the front face faces outwardly and away from the closed end of the container,

wherein when the lid is opened, the back face of the lid pivots open radially near the hook and the back face facing the closed end of the container is spaced outwardly along a plane of rotation such that when the lid is in an open position, the back face faces outwardly and radially away from the closed end and the container and the front face faces inwardly toward the container and

wherein the articulation band is sufficiently rigid to prevent substantial twisting along an axial length of the band disposed perpendicular to the pivot axis.

2. The spill-resistant container assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the hinge strap is free to hang outwardly when the hinge strap is removed from the hook.

3. The spill-resistant container assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the open end on the container has a first threaded fastener that is matingly attached to a second threaded fastener on the collar assembly.

4. The spill-resistant container assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the collar comprises at least one handle disposed on the outer surface.

5. The spill-resistant container assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein the collar comprises a second integral handle disposed on the outer surface opposite the first integral handle.

6. The spill-resistant container assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the lid snaps onto the collar assembly.

7. The spill-resistant container assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein the lid includes a pull tab that extends away from a peripheral edge of the lid.

8. A spill resistant container assembly comprising:

a container having a closed end and an open end;

a collar attached to the open end, the collar having a fastening ring on an outer wall and an alignment recess adjacent an inner wall;

an overfill prevention barrier disposed below the collar and above the open end of the container, the overfill prevention barrier having a positioning tab disposed along a peripheral edge, the positioning tab cooperating with an alignment recess in the collar; and

a cover located over the collar, wherein the cover has an integral hinge strap extending from a peripheral edge and adapted to be removably secured to the fastening ring,

wherein the positioning lugs are substantially flush with the flange on the collar so as to form a seamless surface between the spill proof barrier and the collar, the integral hinge strip including a first surface extending away from the peripheral edge, the first surface having a curved notch separating a second surface,

the first surface is bounded by first and second ridges on opposite sides, and the first and second ridges are located substantially at an intersection where the curved notch terminates and the second surface begins,

the second surface has a convex protrusion adjacent the free end,

when the integral hinge strap is secured to the fastening ring, the raised projections of the second surface pass through the openings in the fastening ring until the fastening ring locks to the first and second ribs and the raised projections,

wherein when the hinge strap is secured to the fastening ring in the closed position, the back face of the lid faces downwardly toward the closed end of the container and the front face of the lid faces outwardly and away from the closed end of the container, and

wherein when the lid is opened, the back face of the lid pivots radially open near the fastening ring and the back face facing the closed end of the container is spaced outwardly along a plane of rotation such that when the lid is in an open position, the back face faces outwardly and radially away from the closed end and the container and the front face faces inwardly toward the container,

wherein the integral hinge strap is sufficiently rigid to prevent substantial twisting along an axial length of the strap disposed perpendicular to the pivot axis.

9. The spill-resistant container assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the spill-resistant baffle has a plurality of curved openings extending outward from a center to the collar, wherein the curved openings have a rounded rib at one end to provide additional reinforcement.

10. A spill resistant container assembly comprising:

a container having a closed end and an open end;

a collar having an alignment recess and a fastening ring attached to an outer surface;

an elastic diaphragm having a notch adapted to flex, the elastic diaphragm disposed between the collar and the open end of the container, the elastic diaphragm having a positioning tab disposed on a surface that mates with an alignment recess in the collar; and

a cap having a hinge strip extending from a peripheral edge, the cap adapted to rest on the collar and the hinge strip being removably attachable to the fastening ring,

wherein the locating lugs are substantially flush with a flange on the collar, thereby forming a seamless surface between the elastic diaphragm and the collar,

the hinge strap includes a first surface extending away from the peripheral edge, the first surface having a curved notch separating a second surface,

the protruding projection of the second surface passes through the opening in the fastening ring when the hinge strap is secured to the fastening ring until the fastening ring locks to the first and second ribs and the protruding projection,

11. The spill-resistant container assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein the hinge strip has first and second ribs defining edges of the hinge strip, and a raised protrusion, a distance between the first and second ribs and the raised protrusion being approximately a width equal to the thickness of the fastening ring, such that when the hinge strip is secured to the fastening ring, the width equal to the thickness of the fastening ring is secured by a friction fit between the first and second ribs and the raised protrusion.

12. The spill-resistant container assembly as recited in claim 10,

the raised protrusion of the second surface is adjacent to a free end of the second surface.